The pre-lecture dinner (5:30 pm in the Mitchell Bldg, 1st floor) requires reservation no later than 04/07/06, and is $30 regular, $5 for students; however no-shows owe full price.
Mars has always held a special interest because of the possibility
that life may have existed there, and its water history is crucial to
understanding its geology, climatology, and biology. Moreover, recent
studies in molecular phylogeny suggest that volcanic hot springs,
which may have been common in early Mars, are also the most likely
point of origin for life on Earth. In this book, Dr. Carr explores
the history of water on Mars, including evidence that liquid water
was once abundant at the planet's surface; ways in which the climate
might have changed to accommodate liquid water; and what an abundance
of water implies for the formation of Mars and other planets,
including Earth. The book's argument rests on interpretation of data
acquired on Viking missions, and on information from meteorites,
found on Earth, that almost certainly originated on Mars. Because
liquid water is universally regarded as essential for life, the water
story has particular biological significance, with important
implications for the future exploration of the planet, and should be
a valuable study for geologists and planetary scientists.